FAQ – FreeCommander

What is FreeCommander?

FreeCommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard Windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in Windows. Here you can find all the necessary functions to manage your data stock. You can take FreeCommander anywhere – just copy the installation directory on a USB-Stick – and you can even work with this program on a foreign computer.

Is the FreeCommander free also for commercial use?

Yes it is, you can use it free of charge for private and professional purposes. You may not however sell it for profit and you may not bundle FreeCommander in other software packages without affirmation of the author.

Which operating systems are supported?

All versions of Windows from XP – 32 and 64 bit. Please read these notes for the 64 bit systems.

I have a 64-bit version of Windows, can I use the 32-bit version of FreeCommander?

Yes, you can. However, FreeCommander is (like all 32 bit programs on Windows 64-bit) subject to the following restrictions:
– 32 bit programs (e.g. FreeCommander) have not full access to the control panel.
– In the context menu, entries of 64 bit programs will not be visible
– The folder “%windir%\system32” and its sub folders show different contents under 32 bit programs (e.g. FreeCommander).
Please read for details these notes.

I have installed FreeCommander but I can not find the help file, where can I find it?

You should copy the CHM file in the FreeCommander install folder or in application data folder.
Your application data folder you can see in the info box of FreeCommander as “Freecommander data (%FcAppDataPath%):”

When I try to open the help file, I get the message ‘navigation to webpage was canceled’. How can I solve this problem?

First try right-click on the CHM file, select Properties, and click on the “Unblock” button. Click “Apply” and the content should be visible.
If the button doesn’t exists or it doesn’t work – try the HHReg utility or read this technical note from the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
Alternatively you can easily use the Online Help.

As donor you get the current beta version and the 64-bit version, see details.

What is the “Donor Version” of the program?

The “Donor Version” of the program is the release created more often then once a year, as bonus for the donors. These versions are marked in the about dialog box as “donor” and not as “public”. The donor versions are available as 64 and 32 bit, both in setup and portable form. The functions of the donor release compared to public are the same with the exception for searching in the “PDF” files.

What means a “lifetime” access to the donor downloads?

Lifetime access gives you permanent access to the Donor Downloads site, including current and future 32 and 64-bit versions of the FreeCommander XE.

I have donated and I have downloaded the 64-bit version of the program. Can I give away the copy of the program to my friend?

No, you can’t, the donor version is not the public version. Please check the licenseparagraph 2.

I am a donor, can I use the donor program version on multiple computers?

Yes, as a donor you can use the donor version on multiple computers.
For example on your desktop computer and notebook.

I am a donor, can I use the 64-bit program version at home and in my office?

Yes, as a donor you can use the donor release at home and in your office.

I am a network admin for few hundred users. Can I integrate FreeCommander in the logon process for each user?

It is not allowed without affirmation of the author (Licence, pn. 1)
It is allowed, if each user self make the download and install the program

How to translate FreeCommander?

Before you start with translation, make sure that someone else is not already working on the same translation. To do that, please visit this site, and contact the author via e-mail.

All available language files are in the installation file and have the extension LNG. If you want to produce a new language file, you should first copy an existing file and rename it, e.g. copy english.lng as french.lng. After the texts in the new file have been translated, the new language can be published for FreeCommander. Simply copy the LNG file into the LNG subfolder. Afterwards you can select the new language in Tools → Settings. If you want to share your work with other people, then send us the file.

The LNG file must be saved with UTF-8 encoding!

I found a bug, where can I report it and how?

Please report it in the the FreeCommander Forum, use the public group for public version, and the donor group for donor version.
Before you report a bug, make sure you are using the latest version, and search the forum, if the bug is not already reported, or fixed in the latest version.

When you report a bug, please forward the following information:
FreeCommander version and operating system, e.g. “FreeCommander XE 2016 Build 730 public beta, Windows 10 64-bit”
Describe the steps to reproduce a bug (if possible)
Screenshot (if needed). You can use the integrated FreeCommander feature (main menu → Tools → Desktop Snapshot…), or the integrated Windows feature – press PrintScreen to make a screenshot, then open any image editor, e.g. Paint, press Ctrl+V to paste, save it and upload it. Please use English language for screenshots, you can use /Lng=English command line parameter
Try to reproduce a bug with default settings and without plugins. To do this, use these command line parameters (your old setting files will be preserved):

/N /NewIni=FreeCommanderTest.ini /NoPlugins /Lng=English

Where can I find the FreeCommander version I use?

You can find the program version at the About FreeCommander dialog (main menu → Help → About…)

How can I find the Windows version I use?

Just use the keyboard shortcut Win+Pause/Break, or go to Control Panel\System and Security\System.

Where can I find FreeCommander setting files?

You can find location of the setting files at the “About FreeCommander” dialog (main menu → Help → About…).

My antivirus program found a virus in the FreeCommander setup file / FreeCommander.exe, what can I do?

Please update your antivirus database / program. Alternatively, you can test the FreeCommander setup / exe file at this site. If you are still not sure what to do, please use the FreeCommander Forum.

I have a suggestion, or I want to request for a new feature, where can I ask for it?

Post your suggestion in the the FreeCommander Forum, use the Feature Requests group. Before posting a suggestion, search the forum, if you find a similar suggestion, you can post your support, or/and add your comment there.

Can I use multiple FreeCommander installations on the same computer?

Yes, you can, just install / unpack them in separate folders. If you want to use different settings, use the portable / zip versions, make sure the setting files are placed in different folders. You can use 32 bit and 64 bit version together (in separate folders), you can use also the old version 2009.02b.

How to change the setting files folder location?

Open the Settings (F12) and go to “Start program” → “Configuration folder”. Don’t use “Specific for user” option if you are using multiple installations.
Note: If you want to use the setting files from old location, you need to copy or move the Settings folder from old to new location, while FreeCommander is not running.

How can I copy my program settings to another PC?

You can use main menu Tools → “Backup all settings” (to save the current settings), and the option “Restore all settings” on the other PC.
Alternatively you can just copy the “Settings” folder to another PC, while FreeCommander is not running on the other PC.